Bridge bidding device



Dec. 19, 1961 R. D. COOPER BRIDGE BIDDING DEVICE Filed July 2, 1959 SLAM POSSIBILITIE: EXCELLENT. OPEN WITH 5NT. .IUMPTO SLAM IMMEDIATELY IF PART NER OPENS. DES-IRE ALL SUITS PROTECTEDv I Ho 0 SELECT-A- BIDDER B PO NTS I 32 I3 I0 IO 0 PO NTS 5 I6 IO Y 60 w 0 o pqNTs P 2 I9: +0 5 I O I POINTS 2 2 22: +0 I I B l POINTS I 20. 251 D I O g 20 I A OVE I 6 Ho V 6 I open wnn 2N! wrm A BALANCED HAND, soon 6 [o O bl sr n s u ngq gnnm gz ug suns PROTECTED.

o u s I 20F I I I Pdmrs I I I0 [2 i A pr acIiclI and any way For Ihe begmpmg and NOVICE bndg: playcr PdINT B In qulckly lcarn Io bid aI- bridge, [3 I fo 1 covering mos! OI Ih: usuII siI-ua- 5 D Hons ancounI'cred In an averaqz a 5 F I 5 evcmng 04' play. 1

POINTS I6 IO 5 Move Ihe slid: unh'l H's; doI' shows 8 O Y in Ihe hoII of the saul re wiIh \jIJUI" poInIcounI: Your blddmg possnbfl- PO NTS R lHcs I'hln show In H1: large window. I9 I'o E 21 2 POINTS 0 I 22 I'v N J D Ace 4 po'mI's 25 O E King 5 poInI's POINTS R Queen 2 pomrs ABOVE Jack I pain? 25 19 POINTS IL L J ATTORNEY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 SLAM ONE-MAKE AJUMP SHIFT AT ONCE BY BIDDING ONE MORE THAN NECESSARY IN A NEW SUIT. THIS INDICATES ASTRDNB HANDTU PART- NER.

POWERFUL HAND- BID ANT WITH A BALANCED HAND.OR BID A NEW SUIT WITH AJUHP ON THE EXT ROUND- THEQE VALUEQ SHOW MORE THIN 'QV ER AILLS SECOND ROUND BIDDING UNDER 0 NTS (I, inc-mm?!) ISO PO NTS PO NTS PO NTS PO NTS ENDS-0 PO NTS 1. Bid new sulk :I fhru Icvzl.

1-Jump in gameown er'plrI'nzrs majqr. 34 Jump to ZNT- I/I rcsponsl- 910 oInIs. LJump Io SNT-I/l response. 2| paints.

POINTS PO NTS mo-mrnn PO NTS POINTS POINTS ABOVE Dec. 19, 1961 Filed July 2, 1959 SLAM POSSIBILITIE EXCELLENT. OPEN WITH BNT. JUMP TO SLAM IMMEDIATELY IF PART NER OPENS: BESURE ALI. SUITS PROTECTED IF o en bId wna: You bird:

I. Pas: I. ZNT

2. lofauII 2. Jump shiFI 3. INT. 3. Slim IF 0pm bid was: You Hm:

I. Pas: I. I oFsuiI Z. Iof'Su'II' or INT 2. Mika jump :hIFI

5. 2 ofSuiI 5. PosJipcnst 4. 2 NT 4. Pomrlspons:

5. 3 NT 5. Slim If open bid win: You bid:

I P555 I. INT.

2. I of Su I' 2v SNT 3. I NT 3. SIam A. ZAFQUII' 4 slam 5. 'LNT 5 Slim If upen bid was? You bid:

I. IcIFSuiI I. ENT

2- INT 2. 3 NT 3. 2 of SuII 3. Pas. rupunu 4. Z NT 4-. SIam 5. SNT 5. Slam IF opln bid was; You bid.

I. 10f suII I. Show nawsuiI 2 INT 2.3of5UIIorNT 3. Z of suiI 3. Pas. rupunse 4. 2 NT 4. 4 NT 5. ONT 5- Slam If 0pm bid war. You bid:

I. Iof :uII' I. Show nuwsuII;

raiaqar INT 44/ 1.. INT 2. 24cm.

3. 2 OF sui 3. 3 NT 4. ZNT 4 NT OPEN 3N1" BALANCED HAND AND ALL FOUR SUITS PROTECTED. IF NOT, BID TWO OF A SUIT AND THEN CONSIDER SLAM.

OPEN WITH ZNT WITH A BALANCED HAND, GOOD DISTRIB TION AND ALL FOUR SUITS PROTECTED. OTHERWISE BID 2 OFA SUIT.

OPEN WITH I DFA sun WITH JUMP 5m IN NT OVER PARTNER'S ANSWER.

, O EN WlTI-II NTWITH GOOD DISTRIBUTION AND 5 SUITS PROTECTED. D STRIBUTION POINTS NOT CONSIDERED.

I3 painIs. OpIion-I Opln Eh! I cfxuil'. Should hIVIL-S honor pcI'nI: If opcnnd in: major suII. OII-mrwisc, bid IcIub nrI diamond.

Pass Opln wiI'h I'L poinh WI'Ihl good rabid and 2 quick I'r'lcks- R. D. COOPER BRIDGE BIDDING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 SLAM ZONE-MAKEAJUMP S IFT AT ONCE BY BIDDING ONE MORE THAN NECBSARY IN A NEW SUIT. THIS INDICATES A STRONG HAND TO PART- POWERFUL HAND-BID SNT WITH A BALANCED HAND, 0R BIDA NEW SUIT WITH A JUMP ON THE NEXT ROUNIITHESEVALUS SHOW MORETIIAN AN OPENING BID.

VERY GOOD HAND MAKE AGAME FORC NG B 0R BID ONEOR TWO IN A NEW SUIT WHICH PART- NEH MAY NOTPASS UNTIL IT IS FOUND WHERE THE HANDS FIT.

A GOOD HAND-THIS IS WORTH TWO BIDS. MAKE A B D INA SUIT THAT FORCES YOUR PARTNER FOR AT LEAST ONE MORE ROUND.

I pninb- USE YOUR JUDGMENT 6'9 po'mis. YOU SHOULD BID AGAIN.

PASSWITH LESS THAN SIX POINTS UNLESS YOUR PARTNERS bIDIS FORCING AND INDICATES A STRONG HAND- EIICELLENT HANO'ShuuId have good slum poulhIIIIIn a! Ihi; Ievll. EnI'aru bid :hcwing par-Inergaurinhnriuns. (flllckwoud or Gnrbnr) I. Jump rebid wIII-I 3N1 w'IIh 22 poInIs. 2 Jump :hIFI which cannaIbc paucd and Forcing Io game. Considnslam II IhIs Invall- Bid nzw suit lIIhru level 1. Jump I'o qamrnwn or parl'rur'a mgjar,

2. Jump Io'i NT-I/I rapensl. Is-zo puInI:

4..Iump In SN -I/I rnspona .ZI painIs.

II Pass SIIIQIE NT rain. 2.5Ingl: raise-awn crpal-I'neri map: 5. 2 NT over z/l rlsponn 4, Jump In NT. (Rzvzrsc bid) 5. Rlise parl'ners 2/1 In: [we] I. Pas: NT risponsc.

2. Rabid own suiI'.

3- Rebid INT 4. Rnhid nlw suif-aruleval 5v RlIu. rzsponder-om roI-wo.

A HAND OF MINIMUM VALUES SHOULD NOT BE REBID UNLESS FORCED TO DO 50 BY RESPOND- ER'S ANSWER TO THE OPENING ROUND.

AT I LEVEL- MuaI hue IO point: and good suit;

AT 2 LEVEL MusI I'IIVI I7. paInIs&.wry 500 suit AT NT LEVEL- Mud hlvl l5 po'lrlh WIIh NT disYrIbuI'Ion.

INVENTOR. Ralph D. Cooper BY ATTORNEY the bridge hands.

rates Patented Dec. 19, M361 3,013,349 BREDGE BIDDLJG BEVECE Ralph D. Cooper, @klahoma City, (Elihu, (142d llsaldwin Blvd, Corpus Christi, Tex.) Fiied .luiy 2, H59, Ser. No. 824,490 1 Claim. (CL -75) This invention relates to a device for utilization in the playing of a game of cards, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a slide rule for facilitating bidding in the game of contract bridge.

The game of contract bridge is becoming increasingly popular today, and many systems have been developed for enhancing the bidding therein. The point count bidding system is in widespread use and is normally considered to be one of the easiest and most accurate methods for bidding. As a result, there are many devices, such as tables and the like, available for aiding the bridge player in determining the most accurate and best bidding of his card hand. Most of these devices are designed for assisting in only the first round of the bidding, and

. the subsequent bidding rounds have been largely neglected.

The present invention contemplates a novel slide rule apparatus for aiding in the determination of bidding through at least two rounds of bidding, which is usually sufiicient to determine the end result of the bidding of The novel slide rule comprises an outer housing having a slidable member cooperating therewith for facilitating the determination of the best bid of the varied bridge hands. One side of the slide rule may be utilized in the opening or first round bidding, while the opposite face or side thereof may be utilized in the second round bidding. The slidable member may be moved in one'direction with respect to the outer housing fordeterrnining the most accurate opening bid of a bridge hand. The 'slidable member may then be moved in an opposite direction for aiding in the determination of the best bid by the players partner in response to the opening bid. The apparatus may then be turned over wherein the opposite face thereof may be utilized in a similar manner for determining the best bids for both partners hands during the second round of bidding.

it is an important object of this invention to provide a device for facilitating the bidding in contract bridge.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel slide rule for quickly and easily determining the most accurate bidding for a variety of bridge hands.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel slide rule for correlating the point count of a bridge hand for determining the best bidding for a variety of bridge hands.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel slide rule for aiding the determination of the bidding of a variety of bridge hands through two rounds of bidding.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a novel slide rule for facilitating the bidding in contract bridge which is simple and efficient in operation and economical in construction.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be evident from the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate my invention.

in the drawings:

FIGURE tie a front view of a slide rule embodying the invention and depicting the face or surface thereof for utilization in the first round of bidding.

FIGURE 2- is a view similar to FIG. 1 and depicts the opposite back face thereof for utilization in the second round of bidding.

FIGURE 3 is a front face view of the slidable memher of the slide rule depicting the surface thereof for utilization in the first round of bidding.

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 and depicts the opposite side thereof for utilization in the second round of bidding.

FEGURE 5 is a view taken on liu 55 of FIG. 1.

FIGURE 6 is a view taken on line 66 of FIG. 1.

Referring to the drawings in detail, reference character 1% generally indicates a slide rule comprising a rectangular front plate 12 and a back plate 14 of a substantially identical configuration. The front plate 12 is slightly spaced from the back plate 14 by a pair of spaced strip members 15 and 18 (FIGS. 5 and 6) and may be secured together in any well known manner, such as the rivets E9. The strips 16 and 18 extend longitudinally between the plates 12 and 14 along the opposed edge portions 2% and 22 of the slide rule 10, thus providing a central chamber 24 between the plates 12 and 14. An elongated rectangular shaped plate 26 is slidably disposed in the chamber 24 and extends longitudinally therethrough for a purpose as will be hereinafter set forth.

The front plate 12 is provided with a substantially centraliy disposed aperture or window 28 for viewing the slidable plate 26 therethrough. A plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures 30 are provided in the proximity of the left hand edge portion 20, as vlewed in FIG. 1. Each of the apertures 30 is enclosed in a box which is printed, or otherwise applied to the plate 12. Each of the boxes 32 is provided with certain data inscribed thereon which facilitates the valuation of the bridge hand (not shown) during the first round of bidding, as will be hereinafter set forth. There are preferably thirteen of the boxes 32 and apertures 36 but not limited thereto. The inscription in the boxes 32 indicate a grouping of point count which may be contained within a bridge hand, and preferably are progressively arranged with the counting of the least value at the top thereof to the counting of the most value in the sixth of the boxes 32-. The progression then begins again, with the counting of the least value inscribed in the seventh box 32 and the counting of the highest value inscribed in the last or thirteenth box 32. The groupings of point counting as clearly indicated in the boxes 32 in FIG. 1 have been selected and are considered to be the most advantageous for the bidding determination, as anticipated herein, but it is to be understood that the groupings may be altered without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The six boxes 32 provided in the upper portion of the plate 12 are particularly arranged for utilization by the opening bidder in determining the best bidding for his bridge hand, as indicated by the words Bids By Opening Bidder inscribed on the plate 12. The seven boxes 32 provided in the lower portion of the plate 12 are particularly arranged for utilization by the player responding to the opening bidder, as indicated by the words Bids By Responder inscribed on the plate 12. However, it is to be understood that the number of the boxes .32 may be varied as desired in order to provide substantially any desired point count groupings, and is not limited to the particular depiction disclosed herein.

The plate 14- is provided with a substantially centrally disposed window 34 in parallel alignment with window 28 for viewing the slidable plate 26 therethrough. A plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures 36 are provided in the plate 14 in the proximity of the left hand edge portion 22, as viewed in FIG. 2. Each of the apertures 36 is enclosed in a box 38 which is suitably inscribed on the plate 14. it is preferable to provide thirteen of the boxes 33 and apertures 36, but not limited thereto, arranged in a manner similar to the boxes 32 of plate 12. Each of the boxes 33 is inscribed with appropriate point count groupings, as hereinbefore set forth. The uppermost box through. the seventh boxes 38 are provided with 3% in the preferred embodiment disclosed erein not contain any point count grouping. However, the second ogressive point count groupings for utilization in the rcoidding by the opener during the second round of bidding, as indicated by the words Rebids By Opening Bidder inscribed on the plate 1 The remaining six boxes are provided with progressive point count groupings to be utilized in rebidding by the responder in the second round of bidding, as indicated by the words Rebids Responder as inscribed on the plate lid.

The front face do (PEG. 3) of the slida le plate is provided with a plurality of rectangular boxes 52 inscrib thereon in any suitable manner. Each of the boxes is preferably substantially the size of the window 2d. There are thirteen of the boxes 42 provided on the face iii to correspond to the number of boxes provided on the plate 12. Suitable instructions are printed, or otherwise inscribed in each box 42., which may be viewed through the window 28 when the plate 26 is so positioned for determining the most accurate bid for the bridge hand, as wil. be hereinafter set forth. It will be apparent that the groups of instructions may be printed on the face and properly spaced thereon without having the lines or boxes 22 enclosing each set of instructions, if desired. A dot is provided on the face in of the plate 26 and in alignment with the apertures 3i} wherein the dot may be viewed through any one of the apertures 33%, as desired, in accordance with the desired results of the slide rule The rear face (FIG. l) of the plate 26 is similar the front face ll and is provided with a plura ty of boxes 48 inscribed thereon, preferably thirteen in nu .iber to correspond with the number of boxes 38 on the plate 14. Each of the boxes 43 is preferably substantially the size of the window 34, and suitable information or instructions is insc ed in each of the bone 43 for utilizre tion in the second round of bidding, as will be her-eniafter set forth. A dot is inscribed on the face in alignment with the apertures 36, and may be viewed therethrough for facilitating the second round of biddin The slide rule is provided with oppositely disposed recesses 52 and 54 for facilitating manual gripping of the plateas for sliding thereof within he chamber Operation in using the slide rule ltl, it is first necessary for the player to determine the point count or" the bridge hand being bid. The poin count of the various cards distribution thereof is printed on the plate 112, as clearly shown in l, for facilit nation. he plate is tl's oably adjusted w to the late 12 to move the dot as into alignment with the aperture 36} of the box 32 cont .ing the point count of the bridge As hereinbefore set forth, in the case of the opening bid, the upper six boxes 3'2. are utilized. With the dot positioned the proper aperture 56, a box of the plate will be disposed in alignment with the window 28. The information contained in the box which is viewed through the window 23 will aid in the determination of the best or most accurate bid for the opener.

The plate 26 is then moved slidably in an opposite direction for placing the dot 44 in alignment with the box 32 containing the point count of the bridge hand held by the responder. are utilized in The lower seven boxes one the responding bids. With the dot 44 in position in the proper aperture 3% in accordance with the point count of the responders hand, the box 42 containing information or instructions for the most accurate or best bid in accordance with the point count of the hand will be disposed in the window 23.

For the second round of bidding, the slide rule may be turned over whe'eby the plate 1 2- is utilized in a sim .ilar manner in cooperation with the face as of the plate lg the point count determi-' s was ting the bi by both the opener and responder. The plate is ao usted with respect to the plate 4 to position the dot in alignmer with the aperture 32; of tie box containing the point count of the opcners hand whereby the box 48 will be disposed in the window 34 which contains the information pertinent to the openers rebid in the second round of bidding. As hereinbefore set forth, the boxes in the upper portion of the plate 4 are utilized for determination of the eners rebid.

The plate 26 is moved in an opposite direction to place the dot 56 in alignment with one of the lower boxes 33 containing the point count of the responders hand. In this position, the box -38 containing the information pertincnt to the respond"s rebid will be disposed in the window for faci-. the responders bid the sec-- and round.

.vay of a specific example, and referring to H6. 1,

that an opening bidder has a bridge hand containuventy-three points. The plate 26 is manually grasped raised in the chamber until the dot 44 is in alignment with the aperture in the box 32 containing the point count grouping which includes the number twentyihree. As shown in FIG. 1, the fifth box 32 from the top of the plate 12 contains the numbers twenty-two to tw four, and thus includes the number twenty-three. The oot is placed in view in the aperture of this box. The instructions or information visible through the window 28 indicates that the openers bid in this case would be two no trump, with a balanced hand, good distribution and all four suits dr i, Otherwise, the opener should bid two of a suit, and should have six cards in the suit he bids.

As another example, and referring to FIG. 2, assume that the opener has twenty points in his hand, and is ready to rebid in the second round of the bidding in answer to a response by his partner in the first round of bidding. The plate in is grasped manually and raised with regard to the plate I. to position. the dot 50 in view of the aperture of the box 38 containing the number twenty. As shown in FIG. 2, the fifth box 38 in the upper portion or" the plate contains the point count grouping of numbers nineteen to twenty-one, thus including the number twenty. The dot is disposed in view in the aperture in this box whereby the instrutcions in view in the window indicate that the opener should rebid as follows:

(1) Bid 2. new suit at the level of 3 (2) lump to game in his partners major suit (3) lump to game in his own major suit (4) Jump to two no trump with nineteen or twenty points (5) lump to three no trump with twenty-one points.

The bidder may select the bidding advice most appropriate to the cards held in his bridge hand, and the prior bidding of his partner and himself.

The bidding by the responder in the first round of bidding may be ascertained by the cooperating plate 12 and face ill of the plate 2'5, as hereinbefore set forth. However, the plate '26 is manually moved downwardly with respect to the plate 12 for use with the lower boxes 3;. in the determination of the bidding by the responder. in addition, the bidding by the responder in the second round of biddiru may be similarly determined by the cooperating plate 14 and the face 46 of the plate 26. Here again the plate 26 is manually moved downwardly with respect to the plate 34 for utilizing the lower boxes 33 in the determination of the second round bidding by the responder.

Furthermore, general information, such as the most widely used point count ratings, and the like, may be inscribed or printed on the plates 12 and id in the spaces 62, respectively, as clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to provide a finger tip manual or information guide to the bidding in the game of contract bridge.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present invention provides a novel slide rule for facilitating the determination of bidding contract bridge hands in both the first and second rounds of bidding by both the opening bidder and the responder. The slide rule utilizes the most widely accepted point count bidding data for correlating the point count of substantially any bridge hand in a manner to indicate or instruct the bidder in the best bid for the bridge hand he is playing. The slide rule is simple and eificient in operation and is of an economical construction.

Changes may be made in the combination and arrangement of parts as heretofore set forth in the specification and shown in the drawings, it being understood that any modification in the precise embodiment of the invention may be made withinthe scope of the following claim without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

A slide rule for facilitating the bidding of bridge hands, and comprising an outer housing, an inner member slidably disposed within the housing, a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures provided on one side of the housing, a centrally disposed window provided on said one side of the housing, a plurality of groups of indicia relating to the point count of variable bridge hands provided on said one side of the housing whereby each aperture is associated with one of the groups of indicia, a dot provided on one side of the inner member for viewing through one of the apertures upon variable positions'of the inner member with respect to the housing, a plurality of groups of indicia provided on said one side of the inner member and correlated with the indicia on the housing whereby one group thereof may be viewed through the window in accordance with the positioning of the dot for determining the bidding of the bridge hands through the first round of bidding, a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures provided on the opposite side of the housing, a centrally disposed window provided on said opposite side of the housing, a plurality of groups of indicia'relating to the point count in variable bridge hands and instructions for bidding the hand in accordance therewith provided on said opposite side of the housing and on the opposite side of the inner member for cooperating with the apertures and window for determining the bidding of the bridge hands in the second round of bidding.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Bowman Apr. 28, 1953 Scheb Aug. 24, 1954 

